Chapter 651 Two Future''s One Choice
??[Catherine Volkovitch POV]
A wave of sorrow washed over her as she listened to his heartbreaking plea. She knew that his pain ran deep and felt a profound sense ofpassion for him despite the atrocities he was about tomit.
In a voice heavy with sorrow and determination, he dered, "Because of their cruelty, because of their emperor''s actions, all the Novgorodian people will perish from Thrylos along with their allies."
Catherine''s heart sank as she realized the extent of his vengeance. She knew there would be no mercy, no reprieve from the wrath of the Draconian Army.
She watched as Archermanded his soldiers to butcher the survivors. "Show them no mercy! These are the people responsible for the deaths of my girls, for the deaths of your queens! They have taken from us that which can never be reced. That which will haunt us for eternity."
Archer''s voice thundered with rage. "For every life lost, for every drop of blood spilled, let a million of theirs pay the price. Let them feel the weight of their ruler''s decisions; let them suffer the consequences of their actions."
His soldiers surged forward, their battle cries echoing through the streets as they descended upon the unsuspecting citizens of Novgorod in a frenzy. The sounds of shing steel and agonized screams filled the air.
The once lively streets were now painted red with the blood of the innocent, and the air was thick with the sounds of screams and cries of anguish. She could see Archer was consumed by a never-ending rage over his loss and change.
Catherine felt a deep sense of guilt and helplessness, knowing that she could do nothing to stop the massacre that was taking ce that was down to her son''s stupid decisions that brought doom to their empire.
But suddenly, the vision shifted. The scene began to blur and fade away, reced by a new image, a white dragon banner unfurling on every city across Verdantia. It symbolized power and domination, a stark reminder of Archer''s unstoppable march towards conquest.
As the vision expanded, she realized with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that this was no mere dream. It was one of many futures that could happen. Once a symbol of hope, the white dragon banner now served as a chilling herald of Archer''s oppressive rule.
With a heavy heart, she knew that the world was about to plunge into darkness. Archer, who was once a beacon of light and hope, had now be its greatest threat. And as the white dragon banner continued to spread, engulfing the world in its shadow.
''''Do you want this future? Or the one I''m going to show you, girl?'''' A voice was heard from behind her.
Catherine spun around to spot a robed figure standing there. She asked in a suspicious voice. ''''Who are you?''''
''''I am what''s to be, what''s been, and what came before. Could you answer my question, girl?''''
She nodded. ''''Yes. How do I prevent him from falling?''''
The figure startedughing. ''''You must rid yourself of the thing you''ve cherished for so long.''''
Catherine''s confusion was palpable, evident in her furrowed brow and questioning gaze. Sensing her uncertainty, the figure before she spoke. "Your son''s desire for conflict with the white dragon has far-reaching consequences, as you''ve seen. But what lies ahead, should his n fail and we thwart the Dark God''s intentions, is a vision I must now reveal."
"Dark Gods?" Catherine''s voice trembled with disbelief. "How can a mortal woman be entangled in the god''s games?"
''''More than you know, Catherine Volkovitch. You must step up and choose when the time is right. Now, witness the fruit bore from such trouble. '''' The figure spoke in a neutral tone.
The figure waved its hand as it spoke for thest time, ''''The choice will appear, and your whole being will tell you to go against it, but if you do, the first vision wille true, and you shall see everything you hold dear burned to dust under the white dragon''s rage.''''
The next scene surprised Catherine. She saw Archer lounging on a sun-soaked ind, a peaceful smile gracing his features as he lounged on a chair. Surrounding him were women of all ages, appearances, and races, rxing while chatting in small groups.
But what truly shocked Catherine was the sight of arge pack of children around him. Little girls swarmed over Archer while giggling andughing as he yfully interacted with each one.
Hisughter echoed across the ind as he kissed the heads of each one who squirmed in his embrace with sheer delight. It was a sight that seemed so different from the darkness she had witnessed before.
That''s when Catherine spotted her granddaughter, Yevdokiya, among the throng of women. With a beaming smile, Yevdokiya held a little girl with white hair and piercing blue eyes, staring at Archer with love.
She watched him look over to the little girl, who shyly looked away. Catherine watched as Archer cast a spell to appear behind Yevdokiya and the girl. He gazed at the shy child with a gentle crouch and softly said, "Yelena, would you like toe to Papa? I''ve missed you dearly."
The timid little girl peeked at him, eliciting a radiant smile from her granddaughter. Yelena quickly descended from her mother''s arms and toddled over to Archer. Her heart swelled with affection as she witnessed the scene.
Archer scooped up the giggling girl, herughter filling the air as he showered her tiny face with loving kisses. That''s when Catherine''s world changed as a grey-haired little girl with violet eyes appeared.
She watched the girl tugging at Archer''s sleeve, prompting him to bend down and smile as he picked her up. He asked in a sweet voice, "Tatiana! Where''s Mama?"
Catherine''s heart skipped a beat as she watched the child, a mirror image of herself, point southward. Confusion clouded her mind as she saw herself, her long grey hair tied back into a ponytail, approaching Archer and tenderly kissing him.
That''s when the sound of girls giggling caught her attention as they chased each other around not far from Archer and the women. The youngest, a little blonde lion girl with a mischievous glint in her violet eyes, scampered on all fours.
Behind her, a tiger girl with striking white hair and brown skin bounded after her sister, her beautiful brown eyes alight with joy. She closed the distance between them with each yful leap, herughter mingling with her sister''s.
As Catherine''s gaze swept over the scene, she noticed three more little girls joining the yful fray, each exuding a unique charm and mystique. The first girl, with her supernatural appearance, seemed almost otherworldly.
Her skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, highlighted by cascading locks of snowy white hair that framed her delicate features. But the girl''s eyes caught her attention, a mesmerizing shade of blue.
Next to the first girl, there was another. Her skin was smooth and chocte brown, shining with energy. Her hair, though, was as white as the clouds above. But what truly set her apart were her eyes – a soft, delicate red that shimmered with an inner light.
As she moved, Catherine saw colorful feathers adorning her, resembling the majestic feathers of a phoenix. Then there was the third girl, her presence imbued with a devilish energy that was impossible to ignore.
The little girl chased after the other two, her fox ears twitched with excitement. Her hair, a deep brown, flowed behind her as she moved swiftly. Her eyes, a captivating shade of violet, shimmered with intelligence and curiosity as she raced through the forest.
Her yfulughter was mesmerizing to her. Together, the three girls ran all over the ind, theirughter mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves and the melodious trill of beasts flying overhead.
With a heavy heart, Catherine tore her eyes away from the scene, readying herself for the future as the vision ended. She awoke from the vision and reappeared in the same hall where she had spoken to her son Anatoly.
After doing that, she shook her head to clear it of the cobwebs and decided to call for a meeting with some of her friends. She pulled out amunication device and spoke into it. ''''Ladies, can we meet? I have some important information to share.''''
A momentter, an excited voice broke the silence. "Cathy, is that you? When did you start using this channel again?"
"Since we need to put a halt to my foolish son Agnes," Catherine replied firmly. "Inform the others to gather at the Summer Isles. I need to speak to everyone."
''''Okay, red-eyes. Titania will bring Morgana, the woman teaching that poor girl how to be a ruler, and is bringing her everywhere.'''' Agnesmented.
Catherine sighed. ''''That''s fine, and stop calling me that! We''re not children anymore, woman.''''
All she got in reply was a cacklingugh before the device clicked off, causing her to sigh with annoyance.
[Please let me know if you spot any mistakes, and I will edit them. Thank you]